July 2020 VOICE Magazine

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PPE Near Me Your Guide to Locally Made and Sourced Personal Protective Equipment

GROWING A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY & VIBRANT COMMUNITY

“I believe in fresh perspectives – offering the organic boost a small business needs.”

Carrie Whisler VP Business Banking Olympia Federal Savings NMLS #1143795

Business loans to nourish local success.

Carrie understands the entrepreneurial spirit – helping Marcia Tunheim start a second career and assemble the right support team for her new Freshii franchise. Carrie reviewed her business plan, offered sound financial guidance, and assembled the right loan package to bring a healthy new dining option to West Olympia. Contact Carrie to help your business thrive.

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July 2020 THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER VOICE MAGAZINE Due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 crisis, please visit ThurstonChamber.com and click on the Events Calendar for the latest information regarding Chamber events.

In This Issue...

The Thurston County Chamber is pleased to introduce the Paint Your Presence contest. The Chamber asks every member to submit UGC (user-generated content) or BGC (brand-generated content) to the Chamber. The Chamber will enter every member who sends UGC into a weekly drawing for a $10 Batdorf & Bronson gift card. The Chamber will choose one or two videos each week to share on our Facebook, YouTube and Instagram channels. If we didn’t choose your video you can submit again! Thank you to the Paint Your Presence sponsor, Flying Colors Painting Company!

WHAT: Paint Your Presence Contest: Submit UGC WHEN: July 2020. For more information, contact Krystal Barkus at events@thurstonchamber.com.

Build Relationships with Social Media & Apps p. 7

The Thurston Chamber and Thurston EDC have partnered to offer a virtual talk show for small business owners and open to the general public. Thurston EDC Executive Director, Michael Cade and Thurston Chamber CEO/President, David Schaffert host various guests to provide the latest information on business resources, state, federal and local actions and the COVID-19 status and advocacy efforts for our community. This virtual talk show takes place every other Thursday at 2:15 p.m. For a registration link and topics, visit ThurstonChamber.com

Visit ThurstonChamber.com or our YouTube channel to view past episodes

Crystal Washington shares advice for engagement with your customer base in 2020.

OIympia Farmers Market is Now Online! p. 9 Starting in July 2020, the Market will offer online shopping and speedy, midweek pick up.

Updated Overtime Rules from WA State L&I p. 11 On July 1, L&I will begin a phased in approach to updated rules to Minimum Wage Act exemptions.

Reopening Thurston County Business p. 12 The Chamber is raising awareness of local businesses' re-openings with the "Tying Our Community Back Together" campaign.

The New Normal p. 13 Business Essentials is a Webinar series focused on providing listeners with information to help their business survive and thrive during the time of COVID-19. This webinar takes place every other Wednesday. Visit ThurstonChamber.com for time and registration links.

Perspective from local business owners on the adaptations they've made in response to COVID.

PPE Near Me p. 14

One Minute What's Up? VIRTUAL NETWORKING EVENT

Your guide to area businesses & organizations offering locally sourced & locally produced PPE.

Join Thurston County Chamber Staff, Krystal Barkus and Elizabeth Bretschneider at the Thurston County Chamber's Virtual Networking Event! During "One Minute What's Up?!" each participant will have 60 seconds to introduce themselves. One Minute What's Up takes place every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Register and find the Zoom link at ThurstonChamber.com/Events.

thurstonchamber.com

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magazine PUBLISHER Thurston County Chamber of Commerce

EDITORIAL David Schaffert 360-357-3362 dschaffert@thurstonchamber.com

CONTRIBUTORS David Schaffert Doug Mah Natasha Ashenhurst Doria Maselli Kathryn Milhorn Emily Sixta

ADVERTISING Sales & Marketing: Krystal Barkus Elizabeth Bretschneider

SUBSCRIPTIONS 360-357-3362 info@thurstonchamber.com

DESIGN Ben Hawkes Mosaic Marketing Studio

PRINTING Print NW

CONTACT THE CHAMBER 809 Legion Way SE Olympia, WA 98507 360-357-3362 info@thurstonchamber.com thurstonchamber.com

Summer 2020 – A Call to Action

by David Schaffert, President/CEO, Thurston Chamber

Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates and Thurston Chamber's Public Policy Director The economy, society and our community are calling for us to act.

Famed economist, Milton Friedman is attributed to saying, “Only a crisis - actual or perceived - produces real change.

On March 23, 2020 Governor Jay Inslee When that crisis occurs, the actions that announced his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” are taken depend on the ideas that are order in response to COVID-19. Like lying around. That, we believe, is our other orders across the nation and basic function: to develop alternatives to around the world, the order banned all existing policies, to keep them alive and gatherings and closed most businesses. available until the politically impossible becomes the politically inevitable.”

The Thurston region will remember March 23 as the day that life changed.

The Summer of 2020 is our call to But in the Summer of 2020, we move action: to vote in this year’s elections; into Phase 3 of the “Safe Start” plan and offer alternatives to existing laws find our community shifting into action. and regulations, and to share ideas Activities we placed on hold for health with elected officials to improve the and financial reasons are moving forward. environment conducive to doing business.

The public health crisis exposed economic and social problems we need For more than 100 days we have to fix to better our short and long-term experienced a crisis. The Summer of economic recovery. The crisis calls our 2020 is our time to take the politically attention to inequities that need to be impossible and make it politically challenged. The crisis calls for thoughtful inevitable. and mindful changes to the way operate in the private and public sectors.

Please join us in our call to action.

COPYRIGHT All material appearing in the VOICE Magazine is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material. The VOICE Magazine takes all care to ensure information is correct at time of printing, but the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of any information contained in the text or advertisements. ©2020 VOICE Magazine, Thurston County Chamber.

COVER ART

Great Wolf Lodge celebrates their re-opening with members of the Chehalis Tribe in attendance as well as County Commissioner Gary Edwards. Photo by Heather Harris, Elements Photographer. Pictured: Jessie Goddard, Vice Chair, Chehalis Tribal Business Committee Sheilah Bray, Treasurer, Chehalis Tribal Business Committee Harry Pickernell Sr., Chehalis Tribal Business Committee Thurston County Guest - Thurston County to identify Nate Read, General Manager, Great Wolf Lodge Tiffany Pesce, Director of Sales and Catering, Great Wolf Lodge David Burnett, CEO, Chehalis Tribal Enterprise & Secretary, Chehalis Tribal Business Committee Doug Lord, Regional Vice President, Great Wolf Lodge

THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER

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Serving All of Thurston County ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THURSTON COUNTY

1. Provided $70,000 for the renovation of the Historic Oddfellows

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8

Building.

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101

Olympia

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2. Provided $75,000 to complete the Master plan for the SW

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Washington Innovation & Business Park.

Lacey

3. Provided $10,000 for the installation of wider sidewalks,

bulb-outs and landscaping along Binghampton Street to build downtown character and enhance the setting for local and visiting shoppers.

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Tumwater

4. Provided $20,000 to assist with the design and construction of

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the community center.

5. Provided $15,000 to support investment in the Lacey Yelm

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3 2 5

Tenino

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507

Rainier

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MakerSpace project.

6. In partnership with the City of Tumwater and U.S. Fish and

Wildlife, developed a Habitat Conversation Plan to provide long-term preservation and management of protected and endangered species.

7. In partnership with the Frank Family, Squaxin Island Tribe and

Salmon Defense, developed and maintains the Billy Frank Jr. Park and Trail to provide a historical and educational self-guided walking tour.

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Social Media & Apps Help Small Business Owners Build Relationships

Crystal Washington was the Thurston County Chamber's Keynote Speaker at the Annual Meeting in June.

by Crystal Washington

Social media can be a utopia or dystopian wasteland for small business owners. At this moment, the world has changed dramatically TWICE this year, making navigating an online presence even more daunting. Should your brand post at all? What should you say or do?

Having and employing an online strategy is the determining factor for success.

It’s typically not enough to simply put a sign in front of a building and expect sales to roll in. In the same way, just “showing up” on social media will not result in increased referrals or sales. You must show up consistently and build relationships.

Use Tech Tools to Research Prospects Whether you want to find the perfect customized housewarming gift for an existing client, connect with a referral partner or find out more about a prospect technology, and social media specifically, makes getting the answers you need easy.

If you want to learn more about a contact’s preferences, a quick search on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and possibly Pinterest will help you discover: • Their alma mater (for a beautiful customized home mat) • Their favorite sports teams (for a customized team mug with their name) • What charities are near and dear to their hearts (perhaps donate in their name) In this age of mass customization, understanding our customers’ and prospects’ preferences can be the one thing that sets us apart from our competitors. (Continued on page 8) thurstonchamber.com

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While the above example may “seem” to be more suited for B2B businesses, the same principles apply to B2C. Researching some of your best clients can help you spot trends enabling you to better target prospects in online ads. Additionally, you can apply these suggestions to referral partners and influencers as well!

Connect with Referral Partners & Customers Social media and apps provide you with the opportunity to network with customers and other community/industry members to build relationships for increased referrals.

A few suggestions for connecting with peers include: • Link up on LinkedIn and Facebook and comment on at least five connections’ posts per week.

• Use Zoom to co-host short (less than fifteen minutes) videos together for Facebook Live, YouTube and LinkedIn. • Co-author articles/ blog posts and share them!

• Tag each other in social media posts to share the spotlight.

To connect with customers: • Use Facebook lists to post information on your profile visible only to specific audiences.

• Invite customers/prospects/influencers to online and, once it is deemed safe, in-person functions.

• Offer giveaways that benefit two parties—the receiving party and the organization the item is purchased from.

Merge Online and Offline Interactions Just because you’re connecting on social media doesn’t mean that all interactions should live in that space. One of the most powerful things you can do is send a customized card to someone who wrote something kind about you on a social network! Two of my favorite tools for crafting customized cards are Touchnote and SendOutCards. Both allow you to create cards in moments from screenshots, uploaded pictures or their already-designed cards. When someone shares a kind post about me that can potentially result in business, I like to send a card with a picture of their post and thanking them, by name, on the front of the card. SendOutCards also allows you to send gifts from delicious goodies to sweet charms to remember a deceased loved one.

About Crystal Washington, CSP Crystal works with organizations that want to leverage technology to increase profits and productivity. As a keynote speaker, she teaches practical applications of social media, apps, smartphones and more! Crystal is the author of the books One Tech Action and The Social Media Why.

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Online Shopping Comes to the Olympia Farmers Market

by Kathryn Milhorn

Adapting to COVID-19 lifestyle changes has been a learning curve for everyone. But many small businesses and organizations are turning to the internet more than ever to get the word—and their product—out into the world. Starting in early July 2020, the Olympia Farmers Market joins their ranks with the launch of online shopping and speedy, midweek pick-up.

Bryce Dazell, the Market’s Operations Manager, explains that the idea had been floating around for a while but statewide social distancing regulations jump-started the process. “But,” he admits, “We really think the benefit will far outlive COVID-19.”

While still in the final stages of planning, organizing and testing, Market staff hope the first online orders, will be available for pick-up in a matter of weeks. During the pilot phase, there are 17 participating vendors but they hope to incorporate all established vendors and crafters soon after.

Orders which are placed before midnight every Sunday night and paid for with a credit or debit card, are then picked up the following Wednesday. Simply park and check-in with staff on arrival. thurstonchamber.com

This turnaround time gives local farmers and artisans time to compile, package and deliver items to the Market on an off day, without crowds of eager weekend shoppers. By picking up outside of traditional hours, vulnerable and at-risk populations can socially distance with greater ease and safety.

the opening weeks. Dazell would like to eventually add in the EBT and SNAP Market Match program and streamline the process from start to finish. They’re working with a committee of Market Board members to assess the project, make recommendations and act as a sounding board for suggestions and brainstormed ideas.

Dazell has been studying other regional markets who offer online shopping options and agrees that “the idea of doing something like this is very much alive. Our infrastructure allows us to do some cool things that other markets can’t do” thanks to an on-site, staffed office and open layout.

Final specifications are still being determined and like everything during this crazy time, tweaks will be made throughout

Find the most recent updates and timelines via the Market newsletter, their Facebook and Instagram pages or at www.OlympiaFarmersMarket.com. Just because life’s a little chaotic these days, doesn’t mean you have to go without fresh produce, meats, cheeses and hand-crafted delights. And thanks to online ordering, soon you can browse, shop, and enjoy from the comfort of home.

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SINCE 1973

Accounts, Services and Loans for your business Dividend-earning business checking and savings accounts, digital check depositing, business lending and much more.

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We’ve been around since 1973 and will continue to be Thurston County’s leader in Commercial Real Estate and Property Management.

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July Updates to Washington State Overtime Rules What You Need to Know

by Emily Sixta

As businesses prepare budgets for the coming years, they will need to factor in the updated Washington state overtime rules going into effect this year. Beginning July 1, 2020, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) will begin a phased-in approach to the newly updated rules to Minimum Wage Act exemptions, with a plan to have them fully implemented by January 2028. The updated rules will require businesses to provide overtime, minimum wage and paid sick leave to some previously exempt employees. These updated rules impact outside salespeople, computer professionals and executive, administrative and professional (EAP) workers across the state.

Over the next eight years, the State overtime rules will increase to 2.5 times the state’s minimum wage, with all sizes of companies reaching that salary threshold by January 1, 2028. This increase to the salary threshold will be slowly phased in depending on the size of companies, with those businesses employing 50 or fewer people being the slowest group to fully transition.

In order to remain “exempt,” workers must typically be salaried and meet salary threshold requirements, as well perform specified executive, administrative, professional, outside sales or computer professional job duties as defined by state regulations.

The updated rules will be the first major changes to state overtime rules since the 1970s and will also include changes to the job duties tests used to determine if an employee can be classified as “exempt” or “non-exempt,” bringing Washington State more in line with federal standards.

Options for Washington Employers There are multiple options available to employers in determining the best course of action for their business.

• Employers may opt to convert salaried “exempt” employees to salaried “non-exempt” or hourly “non-exempt” and pay any overtime or limit hours to 40 per week.

• Employers may also decide to continue keeping their employees salaried “exempt,” ensuring that they meet the duties test requirements, as well as updated salary requirements.

For further information on the rule updates, and to stay informed, please visit the resources listed below.

Department of Labor & Industries Website: https://lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/wages/overtime/changes-to-overtime-rules Department of Labor & Industries News Release: https://www.lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/_docs/Overtime-rules-news-release.pdf Overtime Rules Factsheet: https://lni.wa.gov/forms-publications/F700-205-000.pdf Read the Official Rule Language in Chapter 296-128 of the Washington Administrative Code: https://www.lni.wa.gov/rulemaking-activity/AO18-08/1808Adoption.pdf Executive, Administrative, & Profession Exemption eLearning Module: https://apps-public.lni.wa.gov/training/executive-administrative-professional-exemptions/story_html5.html For additional information, you can contact L&I's Employment Standards program at EAPrules@Lni.wa.gov or 1-866-219-7321. thurstonchamber.com

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Re-Opening Thurston County Businesses with Help from the Thurston Chamber

by Kathryn Milhorn

T

hurston County is moving through the Safe Start guidelines of slowly and safely reopening businesses and activities. But keeping track of the Governor’s four Phases and knowing what’s allowed in each can be confusing. Thankfully the Thurston County Chamber makes it easy by Tying our Community Back Together with festive ribbon tying ceremonies and signage to celebrate grand reopenings county-wide.

Krystal Barkus, the Chamber’s Director of Member Engagement and Events, explains that their first ribbon tying was held Tuesday, June 9. “We anticipate this campaign to go on until all businesses are successfully open, essentially phase 4.”

That day, “a Chamber Staff Member and/or volunteer Thurston Chamber Ambassador will show up with a yard sign, poster or both as well as two pieces of ribbon. We will take a photo and share with the community with a big presence on social media.”

They hope to celebrate the reopening of any business or organization in Thurston County—or even neighboring counties—whether a Chamber member or not. “We understand that business took the ultimate sacrifice of closing their doors for the benefit of keeping our environment and community safe.

Now let us celebrate with them,” says Barkus.

It’s truly a celebration of endurance and to honor these small businesses and groups. “We’ll have mayors, council members and county commissioners attending as many as they can as it relates to their jurisdiction,” says Barkus. “We have partnered with the cities of Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and Thurston County to inform them on a weekly basis of what businesses are participating for the week.” She admits that it’s been hard for local civic leaders to support small businesses during the COVID-19 Stay Home, Stay Healthy order but “this is a way they can.”

To participate, businesses can reach out to Chamber staff once they’ve determined their reopening date and time.

Know a group who’d like to celebrate? Fill out the Chamber’s online form or call Barkus and her team at 360-357-3362. And remember “literally, ANY business can apply,” stresses Barkus. “If you were open and now expanding back to normal, that’s a Tying! Contact us!”

Everyone loves a party and after months of quarantine and social distancing, we’ve all earned one. Bring your mask and come ready to Tie the Community Back Together thanks to the Thurston County Chamber.

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and thurstonchamber.com

The New Normal

For some companies, the virtual team is here to stay.

In early June, the Thurston Chamber surveyed its members to gather data about reopening our community. One of the questions we asked was whether the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order would permanently change their company’s policy around telecommuting? What we learned is not statistically significant, but anecdotally, we learned that quite a few Thurston County-based organizations are allowing employees to work from home indefinitely.

Question: Do you plan on allowing your team to work from a virtual office in the future?

Here’s a few responses in their own words.

“Depending on the job requirements, techs have to go to offices or homes to fix equipment, Office staff can work from home and sales will do both.” – Copiers NW

“Since we are a real estate office a lot of our agents work from home anyway.” - Berkshire Hathaway Sound Realtors

“Administrative staff are working from home for now.”

– Batdorf & Bronson “Staff will work from home, come to the office to receive and work on devices, work remotely on computers via internet and work at client locations when they can do so safely - often nights and weekends or with careful distancing and cleaning.” – Olympia Computer “Part of our teams have been at the station throughout the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order. Others have worked full-time from home, some have worked a hybrid of in-station and athome. We are now transitioning to more in-station time with some administrative staff choosing to continue working from home. We are practicing regular sanitizing of work spaces and the wearing of PPE.” - Washington Public Affairs Network dba TVW “We are working at half capacity in the office at this time. Half in the morning, the other half in the afternoon. When not in the office, we continue to work remotely.” – The Rants Group Thurston County Chamber VOICE

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PPE Near Me Local Sources for Your Protective Equipment

Radiance Herbs & Massage

by Doria Maselli

LOCALLY PRODUCED PRODUCTS Searching for Personal Protective Sandstone Distillery Heritage Distilling Equipment (PPE) Shortly after closing their doors to the With the help of in-store and online public and distilling alcohol in mid-March, customer donations, Heritage Distilling for yourself or Sandstone had started refining ethyl Company has been able to donate over alcohol to make hand sanitizer. They have $10,000 worth of hand sanitizer to firstyour business?

Whether it’s hand sanitizer, face masks or other products, many Thurston County businesses have found innovative ways to pivot and implement their resources to produce protective equipment and products for use during COVID-19. Keep yourself safe while also supporting Thurston County businesses with this directory of local businesses and the PPE they are offering.

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provided hand sanitizer to the Lacey Fire Department and other Thurston County police departments, as well as several long-term care facilities. The formula they are using has been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), and it is composed of 93.6 percent ethyl alcohol, 4.7 percent hydrogen peroxide, and 1.7 percent glycerol. You can currently purchase a 1 gallon bottle of their hand sanitizer for $35.64, and they are offering delivery (to Thurston County) only on Tuesdays. Sandstone Distillery is located at 842 Wright Road SE in Tenino.

Contact Sandstone at 360-264-1901 or visit sandstonedistillery.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE

responders and organizations in need since March. Some of the organizations include Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, The Sophia Way, Valley Medical Center, Bonney Lake Senior Center, Children's Home Society of Washington- Key Peninsula, USO, SHARE Seattle Housing and Resource Effort, Pt. Defiance ~ Ruston Senior Center, Tacoma Rescue Mission, Nativity House and Kitsap Rescue Mission among others. Their Countertop Touchless hand sanitizer dispensers and hand sanitizer and refills can be purchased on their website at heritagedistilling.com.

Contact Heritage at 253-509-0008 or info@heritagedistilling.com. thurstonchamber.com

Secret Garden Quilts

Pieces to Peaces

Sandstone Distillery

Lacey MakerSpace

Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm

Pieces to Peaces Their Unisex Face Masks are made with Cotton Lycra inner and a Double Brushed Poly outer with a pocket for a filter. Each mask is super soft and comfortable and fashioned to adjust in the back with a tie! They also offer “Hero headbands,” headbands with a button on each side to loop to a surgical or medical mask. Pieces to Peaces masks and headbands can be purchased at the Olympia Farmers Market most Saturdays & Sundays from 10:00 a.m.

– 3:00 p.m. (Check vendor schedule ahead of time at olympiafarmersmarket.com/ vendors) or shop at piecestopeaces.com.

Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm Evergreen Valley just finished their batch of hand sanitizers made with the FDA formula and a touch of lavender.

Available at the farm for purchase thurstonchamber.com

OlyMEGA

Heritage Distilling Co.

beginning June 25. Evergreen Valley is located at 9733 Evergreen Valley Rd SE Olympia, Washington 98513. Contact Evergreen Valley at 360-754-2002 or visit evergreenvalleylavender.com.

Secret Garden Quilts Secret Garden Quilts is offering Facemasks for sale. Porch pickup from the studio and shipping available. The masks are comfortable, breathable and available in three sizes: Youth, Adult, and Large. Message or text for pickup times $12.50 each. 2 for $25. Secret Garden also recently returned to the Olympia Farmers Market and you can purchase masks there most Sundays from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Check vendor schedule ahead of time at olympiafarmersmarket. com/vendors) or get in touch with Secret Garden directly via Facebook at facebook.com/secretgardenolympia.

Trnka

Radiance Herbs & Massage

Radiance has been stocking and selling masks made by a local single mom, who is a school teacher and has been out of work since being laid off due to COVID-19.

Great cause and great masks! Locally handmade and hand sewn with love, the masks are comfortable and offer a wired nose for a custom fit. Contact Radiance at 360-357-5250 or visit radianceherbs.com.

Trnka

Trnka is creating beautiful reversible cotton masks with internal interfacing, adjustable soft ties and internal wire for custom fit shaping over the nose. They are made from upcycled pieces, vintage remnants of tightly woven cottons and soft linens. Options for local pick up from Calliope Farm on Overhulse Road or shipment via US mail are available.

Contact Shari Trnka at sharitrnka.com or shop at sharitrnka.com/s/shop.

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items available for

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Community Youth Services is embarking on 50 years of excellent service to youth-at-risk and youth experiencing homelessness in the South Sound region. With over 20 interrelated programs and service to 6,500 youth and families each year, we are in need of some building restoration and improvements to ensure continued excellence for the next 50 years! We hope you will join us in this endeavor to change young people’s lives.

To learn more, please visit:

COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS OlyMEGA

(Olympia's Educational Nonprofit for Makers, Engineers, Geeks and Artists) is a makerspace for technical-creative projects, located in downtown Olympia, Washington. They are a non-profit organization where people can gather to create, invent and learn and have been utilizing their facilities to produce PPE for local Hospitals, Healthcare Facilities, First Responders and Essential Workers.

To learn more or join in the effort, visit olymega.org.

Lacey MakerSpace

The Lacey MakerSpace, Arbutus Folk School and South Salish Mighty Masks have joined forces during the COVID-19 crisis to unite the maker community and make an impact. They joined together as a community of volunteers and donors making PPE for those who need it most in Thurston County and beyond, including: • Healthcare Workers who need 3D-printed face shields • First Responders who need face masks with filters • Frontline Organizations and Workers who need cloth masks Want to help? Please contact volunteer@ laceymakerspace.org if you want to join the groundswell of volunteers protecting our health care workers, first responders and vulnerable populations. You can keep track of developments on their Facebook page at facebook.com/LaceyMakerSpace.

thurstonchamber.com

Additionally, many businesses in Thurston County and beyond are distributing PPE and supplies to businesses. Some businesses offering promotional products as well as local print shops are able to provide custom masks and hand sanitizer bottles branded with a company logo.

Businesses Offering Logo-Branded PPE

Additional Distributors Providing PPE & Resources

Sandstone Distillery

Geneva Woods

842 Wright Road SE Tenino, WA 360-264-1901 | sandstonedistillery.com

360-456-5475 amy.degon@genevawoodshealth.com

Shoebox Spirits

ProForma

2442 Mottman Rd SW, Tumwater, WA 360-628-8259 | lesagwa@gmail.com

360-486-1010 proformanw.com

Minuteman Press Eastside

Mallory Paint

4404 Martin Way E #2, Olympia, WA 360-754-8779 | olympia@minutemanpress.com

360-742-3767 mallorypaint.com/lacey

Minuteman Press Westside

Monster Aid

1025 Black Lake Blvd SW, Olympia, WA 360-754-8779 | olympia@minutemanpress.com

help@monsteraid.com monsteraid.com

Creative Office

AWB PPE Connect

721 Legion Way SE, Olympia, WA 360-754-1732 | thecreativeoffice.com

reboundandrecovery.org/ppe-connect

Color Graphics

360-754-1055 crainstotaloffice.com

2540 Crites St. SW Tumwater, WA 800-456-8288 | cs@colorgraphicswa.com

Print NW

My Day Mask mydaymask.com/wholesale

9914 32nd Ave S, Lakewood, WA 253-284-2300 | www.covid19.gearnw.com

TAGS Awards & Specialties

Crains Total Office

Sparks 800-925-SPARKS wearesparks.com/back-to-business

3643 Pacific Ave SE Olympia, WA 360-491-2525 | tagstrophies.com

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Caught In The Lens

Caught in the Lens is a place to catch up on all of the Chamber happenings over the past month.

For more photos, follow the Thurston Chamber on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThurstonCountyChamber.

We're Back!!

Thurston County Businesses are back to work! Enjoy this special, extended "Tying Our Community Back Together" Edition of Caught In the Lens! Visit ThurstonChamber.com for our Smart Restart Toolkit and more information.

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Thurston County Chamber VOICE

thurstonchamber.com

Workforce Solutions

to Help with Your Business Needs The Thurston Chamber’s Workforce Solutions team serves any business within the five-county region (Thurston, Mason, Pacific, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties ) that needs help hiring quality employees, improving their hiring practices, retaining quality employees and developing training programs.

In some cases, we’ll assist businesses who need assistance laying off employees.

We always begin with what we call a ‘Business Needs Assessment’. When we meet, we’ll assess what the business needs are and we’ll develop customized solutions to meet those needs.

Typically, businesses need help with recruitment, retention or contraction:

RECRUITMENT •

We create customized recruitment events and related services for employers including targeted job fairs.

These can be in-person or virtual.

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We help employers access local, State, and Federal tax credits.

We’ll compile labor market information for specific employers, sectors, industries or clusters.

RETENTION •

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We offer Human Resources consultation services, e.g., writing and reviewing job descriptions and employee handbooks; Developing performance evaluation and personnel policies; Creating orientation sessions for new workers; Honing job interview techniques for efficiency and compliance; Analyzing employee turnover; or Explaining labor laws to help employers comply with wage/hour and safety/health regulations.

We convene industry or sector partnerships that bring together multiple employers within an industry to collaborate with colleges, schools, labor, workforce agencies, community organizations,

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and other community stakeholders to align training with the skills needed for that industry to grow and compete.

We develop and deliver innovative workforce investment services and strategies for area employers, e.g., career pathways, skills upgrading, skill standard development and certification for recognized postsecondary credential or other employer use, apprenticeship, and other effective initiatives for meeting the workforce investment needs of area employers and workers.

We develop customized training programs for industry sectors.

CONTRACTION •

We offer workforce reduction or aversion support including assistance in managing reductions in force in coordination with rapid response technical support activities and with strategies for the aversion of layoffs, and the delivery of employment and

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training activities to address risk factors.

We also help assess economic injury and provide referrals to access available local, state and federal resources as needed.

PROGRAMS Business2Youth Connect features business connected learning programs like Math4Life and Find Your Future.

These programs are a great way to expose high school students to a variety of careers and real-world skills.

Each program features different levels of intensity and preparation and continues through early adulthood.

Through PacMtn's Future of Work Employee Development Program, employers can apply for up to $15,000 per year to upskill their workforce.

This program enables companies to maintain competitive business edge in a rapidly evolving environment.

thurstonchamber.com

As a military Career Skills Program (CSP), WorkEx is a customized internship program that serves the transitioning military community.

WorkEx provides: 1) vetting of employers to ensure quality work experience and maximize potential employment; 2) flexible internship times (1-6 months in length); 3) employment and career coaching and workshops; and 4) support services including work clothes and transportation cost reimbursement.

Talent Magnet is the podcast where we help businesses become magnets attracting talent – by focusing on recruitment, training, and retention best practices.

WorkSource is a partnership of state, local and nonprofit agencies providing an array of employment and training services to job seekers and employers in the state.

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The Rants Group Heritage Bank - Olympia L & E Bottling Company, Inc. Morningside Olympia Federal Savings - Olympia South Puget Sound Community College Providence St. Peter Hospital Pardiman Productions SCJ Alliance Phillips Burgess, PLLC

Port of Olympia

Puget Sound Energy

Saint Martin's University

FORMA Construction Company

Wells Fargo Community Bank

Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel

Little Creek Casino & Resort

Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, PLLC

Washington Business Bank

TwinStar Credit Union - Corporate Office

The Thurston County Chamber sends a BIG THANK YOU to ALL of our investors. With members like you, we are able to provide a sustainable business community in Thurston County as well as foster growth and positive change. Only through your support can we continue to fund important community initiatives and lead the way for business.

Thank You!

South Sound Behavioral Hospital

PLATINUM

DIAMOND

Caliber Home Loans

1st Security Bank Home Lending

Hooper Financial Services

American Workforce Group

Charter College

Olympia Furniture Company

Great Wolf Lodge

Venables Pest Management

Hometown Property Management, Inc.

Nisqually Red Wind Casino

Columbia Bank - Downtown

The Creative Office

Community Youth Services

Mills & Mills Funeral Home

GHB Insurance, Inc.

GOLD

Express Employment Professionals The Firs Senior Living Community First Citizens Bank TAGS Awards and Specialties Budd Bay Cafe KeyBank - Martin Way AAA Washington - Inland Michael White Agency - Farmers Insurance Nicholson & Associates Insurance Edward Jones - Dirk Farrar, Financial Advisor Big Brothers, Big Sisters of SW WA Window Genie Jensen Milner - Cap City Law PS Greene Realty Group Charlie's Safari - The Family Fun Center RHD Enterprises, Inc. Madcap Marketing Bakala State Farm Family Education and Support Services Morgan Stanley - Mike Marohn, Financial Advisor 94.5 ROXY T & S Cleaning, Inc.

SILVER

PO BOX 1427 Olympia, WA 98507-1427